Classroom News

Prep

Hi Prep families,

We can’t believe how quickly the term is flying by. Thank you for all of your ongoing support at home with your child’s learning. 

In Literacy, the students have been looking at the letters ‘S’ and ‘R’ and the sounds in which they make. We have been focusing on reading strategies such as tracking along the words in a text and looking at the pictures to provide clues. Another key literacy focus at the moment are the magic high frequency words.

The students have been completing weekend recounts on a Monday and it is so great to see the students copying sentences and attempting to write their own words.

In Mathematics, we have been focussing on developing quick number identification skills by using subitising and ten frames and have been playing lots of fun games to help with this.

In Religion, we are beginning to learn about the important days of Easter including Palm Sunday and The Last Supper with Good Friday and Easter Sunday to follow.

In Inquiry we will be beginning a ‘Civics and Citizenship’ unit with a focus on community and belonging.

Have a lovely week,

Hayley and Jessica

Middles 

Hi families, 

Between the two long weekends the 3/4s have been very busy in their learning. 

Literacy

Students have transitioned very well to the introduction of ‘small focus reading groups’ in the Middles homerooms. The discussion around the different texts the groups have been reading has been very impressive with students finding evidence from the text to support their answers. 

In writing, students have published their persuasive letters to convince Ms Nobelius to make some changes around St Mary's! Students worked incredibly hard ensuring their letters were well edited and used a range of persuasive techniques. 

Maths 

In Maths, the 3/4s have continued our Place Value workshops. They have explored the topic of Place Value using number lines to compare and visualise where each number lies in relation to another. Next week we will be moving into two different maths topics; Addition & Location and Transformation to coincide with our Digital Technology learning with Ms Sally. 

Religion 

In Religion we have continued in our preparation for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. We have discussed and role played choices and how choices can give us positive or negative outcomes. 

We will also be continuing to learn about ‘The Journey to the Cross’ now that we are well into Lent, with Holy Week and Easter quickly approaching. 

Inquiry 

We are well into the ‘Building’ phase of our Inquiry topic, ‘Who Am I’? We have defined the terms ‘cultural diversity’ and ‘citizenship.’ We are going to be exploring ‘community’ and what it means to be part of a community. We have been working hard building our own model communities and will be taking part in a community walk, within the next few weeks (more information to come).  

*We will see the Reconciliation, First Communion and Confirmation families this Sunday at 9am for the Sacramental Mass. 

*Please don’t forget the Sacrament of Reconciliation will take place next Thursday at 7pm. You will need to bring your candles with you to the Mass! 

The Middles Team,

Carla, Chloe and Stephen Luckman

Juniors

Welcome to Week Seven.  It seems the long weekend provided a time for lots of outdoor activities and rest.  Students are now ready for the final weeks of term.

We look forward to Holy Week in a Day on Monday 16th March.  Thank you to parents who have offered their help. Please send in your availability by the end of the week.  Remember to dress in traditional costume of Jesus’ time. We will journey through events of Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday and Good Friday.  

In Religion we continue to learn about Lent and this week we have been introduced to the story of Jesus being tempted in the desert through Godly play.

In Maths we continue our focus on place value. We have commenced workshops to help develop our knowledge in different areas of place value.

In Reading we are focussing on reading strategies such as rereading the word/text, chunking the word, looking at pictures and stretching out the sound of words.

In Writing we have commenced planning our information report about the human body. Students have selected their topic and are researching facts to use in their report. 

In Inquiry we are participating in various workshops related to our topic “What makes our body tick”.  Workshop sessions include us learning more about the body, feelings and emotions, healthy eating and exercise and nourishing our spiritual self.

We invite families of 1-2LT and 1-2C to Friday morning Mass this week at 9.15am.

A reminder that on March 20th we have our annual Athletics Carnival starting at 5pm.  We look forward to seeing all families on the night. 

Enjoy your week.

Jason, Jenna, Bethany, Renee & Tania

Seniors

Hi Senior families,

We hope you enjoyed the long weekend! We would like to remind all parents to ensure they have registered with CareMonkey, a note for camp has been allocated to grade 5 & 6 students. Please make sure it has been filled out correctly and submitted. 

In religion students have been immersed in learning centered around Lent. They have compared and contrasted the gospel stories of the temptation of Jesus, by Matthew and Luke. Students may ask for coins for the project compassion box, the longest coin line will be created on the 25th March on the basketball court.

In reading, students have been working in small reading focus groups. Each group has been looking at a range of texts and responding to what they are reading. Groups have been working on using the disposition of collaboration and ensuring they are sharing their own ideas while listening to others. 

In maths, the students have started the next unit, learning about fractions. Using the language of fractions at home is of great benefit to their learning, to help them see the purpose of fractions in real life situations. 

Congratulations to all the students who participated in the schools Divisional swimming competition, it was a great day for St Mary’s and special mention to Francis Saviane for her sportsmanship being noticed by other schools. Special congratulations to Alice Wilson and Liselle Gonopolous who have advanced to the next round.

A few reminders:

The T-20 Cricket tournament has been rescheduled for this Thursday the 12th. We wish all students who are participating good luck.

Presentation Mass this Sunday the 15th of March (9am Start - arrive by 8:50 to ensure seating)

Year 6 students to St Patrick's day mass on Tuesday the 17th of March (please respond on CareMonkey)

Thank you, 

From the Senior Team

Anne-Marie, Stephen N, Simi, Louise and Jane